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DISEASES 

OF 

PIGEONS. 



SMS 



PUBLISHED BY 

C. E. TWOMBLY, 

BOSTON. 







DISEASES 

..OF.. 

PIGEONS. 



/BY 

J, A. SUMMERS. 



*[ C. E. Uwombls, jj 

JJ publisher, JJ 

W» Boston, \ifc 

* Mass. ^ 



49541 

Copyrighted, 1899, 



C. E. TWOMBLY, BOSTON, 
U. S. A. 



TWO COPl Es RECEIVED 






9- t6M 




SECOND COPY, 



<**. 






preface. 

The author after publishing the book entitled 
"Squabs for Profit" has received numerous inquiries 
concerning the various ailments of the Pigeon Family. 

I write this book giving a description of most 
all diseases, with particular reference as to the Cause, 
Prevention and Treatment for the benefit of th ,e 
making inquiries which will, I trust, be of great 
service to them and all other fanciers as well. 
Chaifout, Pa. J. A. Summers. 



Iln&ei 



Apoplexy, 

Anaemia, 

Blight, 

Bronchitis, 

Broken Bones, 

Barrenness, 

Care of Sick, 

Catarrh, 

Congestion of Lungs, 

Crop Disease, 

Canker of Throat, 

Cholera, 

Canker in Ear, 

Crop Bound, 

Colds, 

Diseases, 

Diseases, 

Dry Roup, 

Diphtheria, 

Enteritis, 

Egg Bound, 

Fungoid, 

Gout, 

Gorging, 

Gastritis, 

Going Light, 

Inflammation of Bowels, 

Influenza, 



fln&ei* 



Inflammation of Egg Passage, 

Liver, Congestion of 
" Enlargement of 
" Inflammation of 

Leg Weakness, 

Moping, 

Moulting Period, 

Pneumonia, 

Poor Blood, 

Prolapsus Anal, 

Pointers, a Few 

Rheumatism, 

Swelling of Neck, 

Suppression of Feathers, 

Sprouts, 

Shivering, 

Sour Crop, 

Soft Shelled Eggs, 

Tumours, 

Tonic, the 

Vertigo, 

Wing Disease, 

Worms, 

Wing Paralysis, 

Wounds, 



Page. 
32 
30 
31 
31 
48 
37 
51 
23 
34 
48 
52 
26 
19 
25 
25 
33 
46 
52 
40 
53 
18 
26 
40 
43 
51 



diseases of pigeons. 

WHEN pigeons are in their proper state of 
health they are without doubt the liveliest 
and happiest family of the feathered tribe. 
They are always active, full of spirit and a source 
of much pleasure to the fancier. When ill they are 
the very opposite, huddle up their feathers, are usual- 
ly "off their feed" and have a very miserable ap- 
pearance. 

One must have some practical experience with 
the birds when in health, and should have close ob- 
servation also so as to readily tell when disease has 
taken hold of his stock. 

As soon as disease sets in, no matter in what 
organ, or what part of the body, the eye is about 
the first to show it. The eye of a pigeon in health 
is bright and clear, having the appearance of intelli- 
gence, but it soon becomes somewhat inflamed and 
watery in the feverish conditions, and glassy and 
sunken in wasting diseases. When a bird is taken 
ill, it is not an easy task to the inexperienced to be 
able to detect the disease or to make a proper diag- 
nosis. After carefully examining the eye, direct 
your attention to the other parts, taking particular 
notice of the mouth, looking far down the throat 
which enables one to detect any false growth as 
('anker, Ulcerations, inrlamation of the mucous mem- 
branes or abnormal changes of the secretions. This 
close examination ot the mouth is by far the most 
important part in making a diagnosis of diseases 



and should not be overlooked, by any means, as the 
condition of the whole elimentary canal can be read- 
ily ascertained from the appearance of the membranes 
of the mouth and throat. Another very important 
part of the examination is to notice the character of 
the excrement voided, taking particular attention as 
to its color, consistency, etc. The droppings of a 
bird in full health should be somewhat firm, with a 
small amount of the whitish substance (the urea.) 
When frothy, black or green in color, or watery and 
containing much mucus and slime, there is a derange- 
ment somewhere needing attention. 

Next look to the respiration noticing if the 
breathing is labored after slight exertions, remember- 
ing at the same time that even in healthy birds when 
frightened, the respiration will be always quicker but 
this does not necessarily indicate disease. Examine 
the abdomen to see if there is any malformation or 
injury i. e. a fallen egg or gizzard, the former will 
most always be found on the left side while the lat- 
ter generally in the middle slightly to the right and 
low down. When an affection of this kind has be- 
come established the skin over the abdomen will al- 
ways have a shiny appearance, in fact it will often ap- 
pear in other affections also. If the bird has any 
trouble in flying, examine all the bones of the w r ings, 
and see if there is any swelling of the joints or 
wounds etc. also examining closely all parts of the 
wing where the feathers are seen to be ruffed or un- 
even. If a bird eats very heartily and does not seem 
to thrive well look at the excrement very closely and 
see if there are any worms adhering to it. If none 
are found the first time look ai^ain. 



CARE OF SICK BIRDS. 

Pigeons when sickness takes hold of them, gen- 
erally show it at once by their actions, and require 
the best attention possible of the owner, as to their 
teed, and water, for when at liberty they can gather 
such articles as nature required them to have, but 
when housed up they of course must eat what is 
given them. 

It is here that many diseases originate, in the 
negligence on the part of the fancier; either in the 
use of poor or impure food, or in the management. 
The daintiest and most nutritious diet such as hemp, 
canary, caraway-seeds or stale bread (soaked) should 
be put before them to tempt them to eat, if in any- 
way possible, and give oat-meal water for their drink. 

Occasionally one finds birds that care not to eat. 
In such cases examine the crop and notice if any 
stale or decomposed food still remains in it. If so 
then remove as much as possible without injuring 
the bird, for if this stale food should remain in the 
crop and is allowed to become putrefied the gases 
and poisons thrown out thereby, would cause an ir- 
ritation or inllamation and a violent enteritis or diar- 
rhoea, which might be the means of causing other di- 
seases of a more serious nature. After removing con- 
tents of the crop in a tew hours time allow the bird 
some soaked bread, then next day give the seeds ete. 

Occasionally after the above operation the bird 
is too weak to eat. Here many fanciers cause the 
death of their birds, where if a little judgment and 
precaution were used in the way of feeding, the bird 
would oftimes have recovered. Many of these fan- 



ciers stuff the crops of the already weakened bird 
with corn, wheat and other varieties of heavy feed 
which is only intended for healthy birds and will 
thereby make their weak crops weaker still. A bird 
knows when to eat, and will readily partake of the 
heavier variety of grain when in the proper condition. 

If a bird is exceedingly weak give about 20 or 
30 pills, and make it doughy or work it up in an 
easy digestible maner with fine cracker dust, or bread 
crumbs. Above all in contagious diseases keep the 
bird or birds in a separate compartment and use the 
best judgment in treating. The necessary food for 
the pigeon should be nothing but red wheat, peas, 
cracked corn, with a small amount of hemp, millet, 
caraway, canary seeds, buckwheat etc and never use 
oats or rye. The latter especially has caused the 
death of many valuable birds from its tendency to 
scour. Have a good supply of fresh grit or sand, old 
plaster or lime in some way, oyster shells ground fine, 
salt etc. always before them, and together with prop- 
er management, keeping every part of the pigeon loft 
in a good sanitary condition many of the diseases 
will be prevented. 

The diagnosis of a case is the main part and be 
positive the true nature of the disease has been dis- 
covered before commencing treatment. In administer- 
ing medicines be sure to give the right dose and quan- 
tity for a very delicate bird will require a stronger 
dose than a more robust one. Hold the bird in the 
left hand, open its mouth with the other and if the 
medicine be a liquid pour down the throat using a 
small syringe being the best way of administering it, 
being careful to inject into the throat and not the 

10 



DISEASES. 

Roup is a name given to diseases of the mouth, 
nose, and throat where the membranes become in- 
flamed and the secretions somewhat thickened. There 
is however, two different kinds of Roup namely: Wet 
Roup and Dry Roup. Wet Roup is probably the 
most common of the two and the most serious in na- 
ture. 

Cause: It is probably in the beginning caused by 
poor ventilation of the loft which is at the same time 
overcrowded, whereby the birds are compelled to in- 
hale vitiated air. This disease seldom appears in lofts 
well taken care of and when kept in a good sanitary 
condition at all times. Another probable cause of 
Roup is from a deficiency of salts in the food, and al- 
so the feeding of too much carbonaceous and not suffi- 
cient nitrogenous food thereby not providing enough 
proper nutriment to the tissues of the body to supply 
the want taken up by the amount consumed. Some 
claim Roup is caused by a chill or the effect of a very 
severe cold taken during damp weather but the author 
thinks this is not the direct cause it only making the 
membranes still more sensitive to the disease (which 
has already taken hold to a certain extent upon the 
bird) as tubercles have already formed for some time 
prior to any symptons noticeable, the bird having prob- 
ably taken cold after the high fever, which always ac- 
companies this disease, had somewhat lowered which 
leaving the pores more or less open, and the cold or 
congestion following. This disease is exceedingly con- 
tagious especially when it appears in the severest form, 
all the birds in the same loft being liable to contract 

13 



it, and die off quickly and in large numbers. It is 
a very peculiar disease and the same as in many others 
the birds' health must be in a certian condition to al- 
low the germ to develop and the disease to take prop- 
er hold, although it is very often inherited from the 
parents and may run back for generations. Birds ap- 
parently well may have Roup in a mild form and may 
not suffer much, but their offspring never thrive and 
generally die before a month or two of age. 

The germ or bacillus is the same in all cases but 
the severity of the symptons altogether depends upon 
the condition upon which it was developed, i. e. deli- 
cate birds and ones which catch cold very easily are 
liable to contract it much sooner than stronger birds 
although the latter when afflicted often die off quicker 
than the former. Roup affects birds as well as poultry 
in most all climates and countries the bacillus tuber- 
cles being found wherever birds live. The germs after 
taken into the system gradually develop, becoming 
increased in numbers to such an extent that the bird 
finally dies from true form of Tuberculosis. 

Symptoms: High fever, offensive breath. The 
breathing is somewhat constricted caused by the thick- 
ening of secretions of the mucous membranes, there is 
some sneezing and cough. From the nostrils there 
comes an offensive discharge, bubbles appearing in the 
mouth and sometimes at the corner of the eyes. The 
membranes of the mouth have a very pale appearance 
probably due to a deposit of tubercules being formed 
after which ulcers put in their appearance. It may 
however be only a sign of anaemia or deficiency of 
the red corpuscles of the blood caused by the di- 
sease. 

14 



Treatment: So long as the germ remains in the 
system of the bird the disease will gradually become 
advanced and cause the death of the bird sooner or 
later. Tuberculous diseases in pigeons could under 
favorable circumstances be checked and probably the 
health fully restored for as many medical doctors now 
claim that tuberculous diseases in man are curable why 
could not it be likewise with the bird as well. If the 
remedy given has the power and properties to fully 
eliminate the disease germ, the bird will without doubt 
become fully restored to health provided that none of 
the special organs have become seriously affected or 
impaired. There are however drugs that will kill the 
germ outright but the trouble remains that as the drugs 
must be exceedingly powerful, too often the life of 
the bird itself is endangered. 

The main point in treating this disease is to keep 
up and restore the tone, and reinforce the power of 
resistance of the tissues. The organisms must be 
placed in a condition not only to provide for the daily 
needs, and to resist the vicissitudes of temperature, 
humidity, etc, but to enable it to resist the attack of 
enemies in the form disease germs. This can only be 
done by feeding the most nutritious foods and giving 
what the author has found best in treating this disease 
Hypophosphites of Lime and Soda which build up the 
system and renders it more liable to fight the disease. 
To prevent this terrible disease from spreading and to 
aid in affecting a cure the use of the "Tonic" in the 
drinking water described in the last chapter. 

This consists of a number of salts acting as anti- 
septics as it were. Creosote the best known tissue 
builder and preserver, Iron the best oxidizing ao^nt, 

15 



together with the simple bitter tonic Gentian forms a 
prescription exceedingly valuable in the Prevention and 
Treatment of Disease. 

The mouth and nostrils of the bird must be washed 
out several times a day and cleansed of the roupy mat- 
ter. Use a lotion for this purpose made by dissolving 
several grains of Pennanganate of Potassium in an 
ounce of distilled water. In washing out the eyes 
this solution must be further diluted. 

Another most excellent remedy to use as a lotion 
in washing the mouth etc. is Peroxide of Hybrogen 
(Merchand's.) Take a small stick with a piece of cotton 
on one end and dip into the bottle using it pure. 
After this has been applied several times Aristol (a 
brown powder) should be applied to the membranes, 
to favor healing. Aristol is the best for this purpose 
and by applying three times daily for a few days a 
cure is generally affected. 

DRY PGUP. 

This is a name given to another form of Roup 
where there is no discharge from the nostrils. It is 
less malignant than Wet Roup and is most always 
milder. Its cause is similar to the othor form, Wet 
Roup. 

Symptoms: The symptoms are in every respect 
the same as in the wet form with the exceptions of 
the discharge from the nostrils. There is fever, de- 
posits of tubercules on the membranes of the mouth 
which loses its natural color a*nd becomes somewhat 
paler. Treatment: Same as for Wet Roup. 

1G 



SCROFULA. 

Scrofula is a tuberculous disease and one which 
probably causes the most deaths of the birds. It af- 
flicts them without showing any particular symptoms 
in the start. The germ does its deadly work slowly 
and it may never occur to the fancier that his bird 
is afflicted until he finds the bird cold in death, which 
may occur (after the disease is established) by any 
slight cause such as a cold etc. The germ is the same 
in every case and attacks various parts of the body and 
making the disease appear in a variety of forms. As 
in most diseases the severity altogether depends upon 
the conditions allowing its development. It i» a di- 
sease most common among the fancy varieties such as 
Carriers, Barbs, Antwerps, etc. which are fed upon the 
richest foods in order to get them into their highest 
state of perfection. The joints of the bird, mostly those 
of the wings, is where the deposits mostly form. It 
may however attack the lungs and liver which will surely 
cause death. Unfortunately not much can be done for 
a bird after this disease once takes hold of it, but by 
using precautions in the way of feeding, giving only 
plain food, allowing them plenty of exercise, this di- 
sease will seldom appear. 

BLIGHT. 

An inflammatory disease affecting the eye and is 
usually caused by a cold. The eye first has a watery 
appearance, but the membranes surrounding the eye fi- 
nally become very much inflamed. The secretions are 
usually somewhat thickened and ofttimes causes the eye- 
lids to stick together. 

17 



Treatment: Use a lotion a mild solution of Per- 
oxide of Hydrogen. An excellent plan is to use a 
small syringe and gently pour the lotion into the eye. 
At the same time use the "Tonic" in the drinking 
water. A solution of Copper Sulphate is considered 
good also, but the best results will be obtained if the 
Peroxide is used. 

VERTIGO. 

Cause: Vertigo in pigeons is a cerebral affection 
caused probably by diseased membranes, disease of the 
brain matter itself, or from a congested state of the 
blood vessels caused by the injudicious feeding of too 
much rich and heatenmg foods making the blood en- 
tirely too thick. When the blood is in such a con- 
dition, the slightest disturbance such as constipation 
etc. will cause an attack. It is not an uncommon di- 
sease and usually affects high bred birds fed upon hemp 
seed and the like. Vertigo may however be a symp- 
tom of a serious liver derangement. 

Symptoms: The bird will not be very active. 
Many cases they will remain in a corner for instance 
holding its head against the wall. When trying to walk 
it will turn around and around finally falling com- 
pletely over. In other cases the head is held in an un- 
natural position, the crown of the head sometimes being 
pressed upon the floor. Generally in Vertigo the head 
is terribly heated while the feet and legs are cold. 

Treatment: This disease is almost always fatal and 
unless it be caused by a liver affection, or unless the 
bird afflicted is of especial value to the fancier, it 
should be killed at once to end its sufferings, for if 
the case is treated all the trouble might be for noth- 

18 



ing as only a small percentage of cases are curable. 
The best medicines to administer are those having a 
tendency to thin the blood and at the same time have 
the tendency to improve the circulation. None will be 
found better for all cases than Phosphate of Soda. It 
acts as a mild aperient, removes the liver difficulty if 
any exists and greatly improves the circulation. The 
bird should be fed very sparingly, of wheat and the 
milder grains, should be kept quiet, and the blood re- 
moved from the head as much as possible by applying 
cloths soaked in ice-water. Don't disturb it any more 
than is absolutely necessary. A slight fright might 
bring on a severe attack also. 

SWELLING OF NECK. (Emplysema.) 

Cause: This is not a disease but only a condition 
in which one or more air cells have been ruptured 
under the skin allowing the extravasated air to pass 
through the pores under the skin. It may be due to 
a shot wound or an injury from a sharp pointed in- 
strument. 

Symptoms; It usually will be found in the neck 
although there have been cases wmere other parts of the 
body are afflicted. The accumulation of air under the 
skin causes a swelling which gradually becomes en- 
larged and may even attain the size of a Pouter's crop, 
and sometimes completely encircles the neck. This 
condition does not however injure the health of the 
bird, but it should be treated as it has a very un- 
sightly appearance. 

Treatment: Wash off well the skin where the 
operation is to be performed and take a sharp pointed 
needle which has been previously dipped into some anti- 

10 



septic solution and gently puncture the skin in several 
places. This will allow the air to escape, but will not 
always affect a cure after the first operation, but this 
should be practiced several times before a permanent 
cure is affected. 

GOUT. 
A name given to a disease of a scrofulous nature 
affecting as it were the feet and legs of a bird has been 
termed the Gout. It is usually caused by tuberculer 
infections and attacks of great severity of pain is caused 
without doubt by an exposure to damp weather. 

Symptoms: The joints become greatly swollen and 
contain a great amount of heat caused by the inflamma- 
tion. The hock joint is the one chiefly aifected. After 
the disease is allowed to run its course the lumps be- 
come greatly enlarged caused by the formation of the 
deposits. 

Treatment: Paint the affected parts with Tincture 
Iodine and remove the bird to dry and quiet quarters. 
Feed only the plainer grains, no hemp-seed, and add 
a few drops of Syrup Iodide of Iron to its drinking 
water. Ofttimes the deposits can be removed consider- 
ably by applying an oil such as sweet oil or castor oil 
to the swellings for several days in succession. 
FUNGOID. 
Fungoid, a disease commonty termed Small Pox. 
It is an exceedingly contagious disease and one of a 
very malignant nature. The large wattled variety of 
pigeons are the ones most subject to this malady. It 
is usually found in lofts which are overcrowded, impure 
and foul air accumulating thereby and the birds are 
compelled to inhale it time and again. It is contracted 

20 



to other birds from the scales or flakes that peal off 
the swellings from time to time. These flakes may be 
taken in the food or drinking water and the disease 
set up violently from the affects. One very important 
part in treating diseases is to remove the afflicted birds 
to quarters by themselves, and it will be found best to 
remove quite a distance from the breeding house or loft, 
as some ailments such as Diphtheria etc. are exceed- 
ingly contagious and all the precautions possible should 
be adhered to, to prevent the disease from spreading. 
Fungoid may however originate in the start by the too 
free use of Indian Corn and carbonaceous articles of 
food, finally terminating into a regular tubercular di- 
sease, the system being full of tubercles is evident from 
the nature of the swelling. A bird when once afflicted 
in a very severe form may be considered incureable 
and it would be far better to kill it at once and pre- 
vent it spreading to the others. 

Symptoms: A small swelling having the appear- 
ance of fungus appears first on some part of the wat- 
tle and sometimes the growth may start in the orbit 
of the eye itself. Wherever these swellings do appear 
they finally develope into an ulcer out of which is dis- 
charged an ugly yellowish fluid. These ulcers enlarge 
greatly and spread very rapidly until finally the whole 
head may become involved with them, and may have 
swollen to twice its natural size. Most cases death 
however relieves the bird of its suffering before reach- 
ing this stage. 

Treatment: In mild cases the swelling can be re- 
duced somewhat and the discharges should be removed 
as much as possible. The object is mainly to heal 

21 



these ulcerations. Nothing will be found better to heal 
than Iodoform or Aristol. The ulcers should be Well 
dusted with either of these powders, and Sweet Oil be- 
ing used afterwards to encourage healing and have a 
soothing effect. 

BRONCHITIS. 

A catarrhal affection of the bronchial tubes leading 
to the lungs, caused by a severe cold or a sudden chill. 
The tubes leading to the lungs may only be affected, 
or the tubes of the lungs itself may be inflicted. This 
disease is more common among pigeons about the moult- 
ing period, at that time they being more susceptible 
to a cold. The blood vessels become more or less con- 
tracted by a cold, throwing an undue amount of blood 
into the internal organs. This superabundance of blood 
in the lungs causes the blood vessels to become greatly 
distended and in consequence the bronchial tubes be- 
come almost entirely closed up. It is often the cause 
of draughts in the loft, and may occur in young birds 
which are exposed too much to all kinds of weather. 

Symptoms: There will be a dry hacking cough, 
the breathing will be somewhat constricted. There is 
always a very high fever, the eyes being inflamed, some- 
what bulged out, and the bird will appear to be en- 
tirely unconscious of its surroundings in severe cases. 
They generally care not to eat, and too often discard 
their food for that of drink, this being due to the ex- 
treme high fever. They will huddle up their feathers, 
have a very miserable appearance in general, and a sort 
of mucous may extrude from the mouth. This mucous 
as the disease becomes advanced will change in color 
to a yellowish, blood streaked matter, and rather 
thick. 

22 



Treatment: The first thing to do is to remove the 
bird to warm quarters and try to induce a free pers- 
piration. Give Carbonate of Ammonia in one-half 
grain doses three times daily and allow the bird only 
the lightest kind of food such as soaked bread, etc. 
Give for it to drink oat meal water and add a small 
pinch of powered alum to this. After the disease is 
checked the constitution of the bird will be greatly 
weakened and the "Tonic" should be used in the drink- 
ing water at all times for at least a month afterwards. 

PNEUMONIA. 

A disease resembling somewhat congestion of the 
lungs termed Pneumonia, differs from it in the respect 
that in the former there is congestion, where in Pneu- 
monia there is an inflammation of the lungs. The cause 
however may both be attributed to the same cause, that 
of taking a very severe cold, but this disease is usually 
a complication of Influenza or Grip. This complication 
with Grip although appearing to be very severe usually 
terminates into the full recovery if proper means are 
applied. 

Symptoms: High fever, ruffed feathers, a dry, 
husky cough, attended with a very constricted respir- 
ation. 

Treatment: Use the Carbonate of Ammonia in the 
same doses as for Congestion, and after fever has sub- 
sided, and the bird is convalescing the use of Hypo- 
phosphites of Lime and Soda will be very beneficial in 
restoring the strength. This should be given for several 
weeks, and small closes of Quinine could be added if the 
bird is extremely weakened. 

23 



APOPLEXY. 

Apoplexy is almost always a fatal disease and is 
caused from the overfeeding of too much rich and stim- 
ulating articles of food especially when birds are con- 
fined and do not get the proper amount of exercise. 
Birds having their freedom seldom get apoplexy unless 
it be from some organic brain trouble. This disease 
is caused by the rupture of a blood vessel in the brain 
and most always originates in summer on the extremely 
hot days. After an attack however any slight disturb- 
ance such as a cold or liver difficulty, a fresh attack is 
liable at any season of the year. 

Symptoms: Apoplexy will often be confounded 
with Vertigo, but there is considerable difference from 
the fact that in Vertigo they appear dizzy and unable 
to move, where in Apoplexy they fall completely over 
and have severe convulsions and with twitching of the 
muscles. Very often the bird will die in one of these 
convulsions. 

Treatment: Remove the bird at once to cooler 
compartments, and quickly as possible apply cold rags 
to the head, or dip the head in ice water at short in- 
tervals. The bowels should be made to move freely to 
encourage a better circulation of blood and to draw it 
from the brain, a few drops of Castor Oil being about 
the best of purgatives for this purpose. After improve- 
ment takes place leave the bird by itself, keeping it 
very quiet, and do not allow anything to eat for 
several hours or half a day. When food is given, 
use the soft food first such as soaked bread for a day 
or two, then as the bird improves give regular food. 
Above all, in this disease as well as in Vertigo, 
never use Tonics, but what Would be much better 
are sedatives. 

24 



SUPPRESSION OF FEATHERS. 

A diseased condition of the skin in which the 
feather sacs are choked up, thereby preventing the 
growth of the feathers, which in consequence curl up 
under the skin forming a lump. Birds allowed a 
bath when desired, and ones fed properly, seldom 
get this complaint. 

Symptoms: This is an affection of the skin, af- 
fecting the bird at the moulting period, causing the 
feathers to be suppressed. A lump forms on the 
wing or near the vent generally, where if they be 
opened will be found to contain the feather substance. 

Treatment: Open the lumps witli a sharp knife 

and remove all the matter and gluey substance. Sew 

up the wound with fine catgut, after which use an 

ointment of Iodoform and cosmoline to favor healing. 

SPOUTS. 

A disease of the eye wattle, mostly found among 
the larger wattled variety of pigeons such as Carriers, 
etc. It is caused by an abnormal growth of the 
wattle, which causes the lower eyelid to become 
dragged down below the level of the lachrymal duct 

Symptoms: The secretions of the eye instead of 
passing down the lachrymal duct flow down over the 
outside, causing an inflammation from the acrid nat- 
ure of the secretions and form a sore. Birds some- 
times lose their sight entirely from this disease. 

Treatment: Remove as much of the growth as 
possible with a sharp knife (care being taken not to 
make too deep an incision) and apply a healing oil 
or ointment occasionally, also washing out the in- 
flamed portions with a mild solution of Peroxide of 
Hydrogen. 

25 



RHEUMATISM, (Wing Disease.) 

An affection of the wing joints, especially the 
elbow joint. It is the most exposed joint of the 
wing and is the one mostly used by the bird. It 
being the most exposed joint is probably the reason 
it is chiefly afflicted, owing to its liability of becom- 
ing chilled. It is a disease very common among the 
Homers, they being compelled to endure many hard- 
ships, and encounter all kinds of weather. A bird 
after arriving home is allowed to remain quiet, near 
an open window or in a draught, is one cause of 
this ailment. 

Symptoms: The bird will not care much about 
eating; the joints of the wing are stiff, swollen, hot 
and feverish. 

Treatment: Remove the bird to a pen by itself, 
feed plain food, and to each pint of its drinking- 
water, add ten grains of salicylic acid. This will 
have a tendency to carry off the impurities or to 
neutralize the poisoning acids in the blood of birds 
so afflicted. It will not be at all necessary to remove 
any of the feathers around the swollen joint, for this 
would make the inflammation worse than ever, but 
all that need further be done is to paint the joint 
or joints with Tincture Iodine. 

ENTERITIS, (Inflammation of Bowels.) 

The causes of this disease must be divided into 
two distinct classes namely: Secondary and Primary. 
The first class is that attributed to the sudden 
changes of the temperature when the thermometors 
fall from twenty to thirty degrees in a short time. 
The bird is taken with a sudden chill and an inflam- 
mation of the bowels follows. The Primary class 

26 



are those conditions of a catarrhal nature brought 
about by the use of improper food, too much green 
food, foods having an irritating nature such as rye, 
etc. In some birds however, the decomposition of 
certain grains in the intestines may excite the most 
violent intestinal catarrh from the irritating acids 
and gases formed by such decomposition. This in- 
flammation of the bowels however, may be brought 
about by other diseases or conditions from the use 
of impure food or temperature changes. Circulatory 
disturbances may cause a catarrhal enteritis, which 
will usually run a chronic course. This is very 
common in diseases of the liver. Worms is another 
cause of Enteritis, they producing an irritation of 
the intestines by their presence. 

Symptoms: The excrement will be very watery, 
and as the disease advances will contain mucous 
streaked with blood. Sometimes there will be a 
copious discharge of clear blood caused by a hem- 
orrhage of a small blood vessel of the bowels. Where 
the disease is of a catarrhal nature and became 
chronic, the discharges will be mostly of mucous, or 
mucous will be seen adhering to the sides or ends 
of the excrement. In this chronic state there may 
be periods where constipation and diarrhoea will 
alternate. 

Treatment: This altogether depends upon the 
cause of the disease. If it be from temperature 
changes, the food should be changed giving coarser 
articles of grain, and the discharges checked with 
small doses of Laudanum. If it is of a chronic nat- 
ure of a catarrhal type, the bowels must be fiist 
unloaded of all the mucous and undigested food-stuffs. 

27 



Use the sulphate of Magnesia for this purpose or 
Castor Oil, after which the best attention possible 
must be given in the way of feeding, allowing the 
bird nothing that has a tendency to scour. Rye is 
often used as pigeon feed, and is one cause of so 
much diarrhoea. When the cause is from a liver 
complaint give the phosphate of soda. Enteritis 
caused by worms will be described under Intestinal 
Worms. 

INFLUENZA, (or Catarrh.) 

Influenza is an infectious disease characterized 
by great prostration and a more or less catarrhal 
condition of the mucous membranes, particularly those 
of the throat and respiratory organs. The intestines 
are also sometimes affected by the catarrh. Com- 
plications such as Pneumonia may arise in this dis- 
ease and the delicate birds are more subject to this 
complication than the more robust. It is an exceed- 
ingly contagious disease and may be contracted to 
healthy birds from the sick ones. The bacillus of 
this disease are present in enormous numbers in the 
head and throat of the afflicted birds. The period of 
incubation is about from two to four days and un- 
complicated cases usually recover, but delicate birds 
and their young often die from the disease itself, or 
from the extreme weakness following. Influenza is 
caused by a peculiar miasma in the atmosphere and 
is usually epidemic afflicting many birds in the whole 
community at the same time. 

Symptoms: Fever; eyes are swollen, watery and 
inflamed. A gummy, sticky discharge will run from 
the nostrils and from the mouth, collecting, as it 
were, upon the sides of the mandible or bill. The 

28 



bird will be apparently off its feed, and have a 
rather sickly appearance. It will prefer drink instead 
of food owing to the high fever present. 

Treatment: Remove as much of the gummy dis- 
charge as possible that collects on the bill, and use 
a small pinch of common alum in the drinking water. 
Alum is the best remedy for Influenza, it being an 
astringent removes and dries up the discharges. 
EGG BOUND. 

Young hens and ones laying their first eggs are 
usually the ones subject to be egg bound. It may 
however affect older birds as well, especially those 
hens which have been overfed with too fattening 
food and not getting sufficient exercise. In young 
birds laying their first egg, which if it be too large 
or the vent not having enough elasticity to allow the 
expulsion of the egg, the hen becomes egg bound. 
Another cause is where the muscular system is weak 
and the hen not having the power to expel the egg. 

Symptoms: The bird is seen to be very uneasy, 
flying on and off the nest, raising itself up, then 
squatting down in the nest and appearing to be 
greatly excited. The egg can be readily felt above 
the vent, and if it is not removed will set up an 
inflammation and cause the bird's death. If attention 
is not at once paid to the hen, the egg ofttimes 
breaks inside and a very fatal inflammation follows 
from the irritation of the pieces of broken shell. 

Treatment: Take a small syringe and inject into 
the egg passage a little sweet oil. This is usually 
all the treatment necessary for most cases, but when 
this does not favor the expulsion of the egg, a pair 
of small tweezers which have been dipped in sweet 

29 



oil may be used to stretch the vent, when the egg 
will drop out easily. Care must be taken however 
in this operation not to break the egg while still 
inside. After the egg has been expelled always 
grease the vent with sweet oil to heal and soothe. 
CONGESTION OF LIVER. 

Causes: Birds which are fed upon rich food or 
overfed, and not being allowed enough proper exer- 
cise quite frequently become subject to this disease. 
Unsuitable food such as mouldy peas, cracked corn 
or grains having undergone germination to a certain 
extent will cause a congestion of liver, if fed for any 
length of time. A weakness of the heart causing an 
insufficiency of blood to flow into the very impor- 
tant organ is another cause of liver trouble, but in 
this case the liver will be pale and somewhat shrunk- 
en, when from improper food or from feeding upon 
one article of food too long, the liver becomes dark- 
ish red and somewhat enlarged. 

Symptoms: The bird has a very lazy appearance 
eyes are dull, does not care to eat very much, and 
prefers to lay around having the appearance as 
though unconcerned about anything. The appearance 
and character of the excrement voided by such birds 
is the only true means by which a diagnosis can bo 
made, and it is for that reason very easy to diagnose 
properly. The droppings in these cases instead of 
being brownish in color as in health, will be rather 
tarry looking, slightly looser than normal and at the 
same time very offensive. Occasionally the droppings 
will be very watery and black. 

Treatment: Feed the bird upon the best food 
obtainable, discarding any mouldy food probably 

30 



given before, and instead give only red wheat, breac 
crumbs, etc., until the character of the excrement 
has a healthier appearance, which should be brown 
in color. Administering phosphate of soda, either by 
a capsule three times a day, or put a small quantity 
in the drinking water, is the best remedy known for 
this disease. In these cases the eyes of the bird will 
be very dull, but the body does not emaciate like in 
the other liver troubles. 

ENLARGEMENT OF LIVER. 

Cause: Feeding too much fattening food such 
as Indian corn or hemp seed. Birds kept in con- 
finement and those fed upon the richest articles of 
diet, such as given the fancy varieties, are usually 
the ones to suffer most from this complaint. 

Symptoms: Bird is apparently drowsy at all 
times, but more so immediately after eating. As the 
disease advances, they will gradually lose their ap- 
petites and are off their feed. 

Treatment: Feed light articles of diet, adminis- 
ter a liver pill containing a small amount of mercury 
or calomel, giving at intervals, or what is best every 
morning, a do»e of phosphate of soda. This treat- 
ment has a tendency to stimulate the liver, relieve 
the constipation often present, and cause a flow of 
more healthy bile. After the bird is convalescing 
use the tonic in the drinking water. 

INFLAMMATION OF LIVER, (Hepatitis.) 

Causes: The cause of this disease is almost 
identical with that of Congestion of Liver, but there 
will be severer symptoms in this disease. In the 
former the blood vessels of the liver are only con- 
gested, causing a slight enlargement, but in the 

31 



inflammation of liver that organ will be even more 
enlarged and more painful. 

Symptoms: The bird will apparently be dizzy, 
off its feed, prefers drink to food, and will have a 
very depressed look. Its wings will be hanging 
down, eyes dull, often closed, head tucked in, the 
bird looking as miserable as could possibly be 
described. Constipation will usually be present, and 
the excrement will usually be lighter in color than 
normal, due to the improper flow of healthy bile. 
The bird will be greatly emaciated. 

Treatment: The intestines must first be cleansed 
of all irritating matter, such as mucous, decomposed 
food, etc., by administering good sized doses of 
phosphate of soda. Next, pay strict attention to diet. 
Do not feed the bird much at a time, but rather 
often, and only such foods containing the least 
fats. A bird with this disease should never be given 
hemp seed to eat, but only plain grains such as 
wheat, millet, etc. Adding a few drops of fresh 
nitro-muriatic acid to the drinking water is all the 
medicine required afterwards. This should be given 
for weeks before a cure can be permanently made. 
INFLAMMATION OF EGG PASSAGE. 

Cause: This disease is without doubt caused by 
the retention of part of broken shell of an egg, or 
the breaking of a soft-shelled egg inward. Thus 
causing an inflammation which usually, nine cases 
out of every ten, proves fatal. 

Symptoms: The bird afflicted has a rather heapy 
appearance, tail depressed, head tucked in, and looks 
miserable in general. A slimy, whitish liquid resem- 
bling e^'L!; substance is voided, the bird being coin- 



's 

32 



pelled to strain violently at the same time. This is 
the main symptom. Frequently birds so afflicted 
become paralyzed in one or both legs. 

Treatment: The only treatment is to relieve the 
inflammation and arrest the discharge. To grease 
the vent is good policy, and to inject a solution of 
Gum Arabic will be found to encourage healing and 
subdue the inflammation without further injuring the 
bird. 

GORGING. 

A disease afflicting Pouters, those with well 
developed crops, and is caused by a weakness or 
atony of the muscles of the crop, and the bird hav- 
ing eaten too heartily or drank too much water. It 
can be often cured by squeezing the crop gently 
until all the fluid is removed, and by not feeding 
anything more until the remaining food in the crop 
is completely digested. A way much practised is to 
suspend the bird in a stocking until the food is 
digested. 

SHIVERING. 

Occasionally a fancier finds a bird standing 
around shivering all the time. This indicates a weak- 
ness from some cause, or from a liver affection where 
the circulation is interfered with. If it is caused by 
an insufficiency of blood, add Iron to the drinking 
water; if the result of a cold, add Quinine; or if the 
excrement is black and tarry caused by liver diffi- 
culty, use the Phosphate of Soda in the drinking 
water. The tonic should be used for all cases wliere 
there is shivering. Hemp seed may be given ad 
libitum where the droppings are not black or tarry. 

33 



ANAEMIA, (Poor Blood.) 

The blood when it contains less than the ordinary 
number of red corpuscles is a condition known as 
Anaemia and is characterized by all the signs of 
weakness. It may be caused by a hemorrhage from 
a cut or other serious injury, from the feeding of 
improper food, or the bird's digestion being poor the 
assimilation of food is not perfected. A long siege 
of Enteritis, (inflammation of bowels) is another 
cause of Anaemia. After a sudden loss of blood from 
the bird, in consequence of a cut etc., the volume of 
the circulation is quickly restored by the absorbtion 
of a fluid, but the red corpuscles cannot be so readily 
replaced. The poor watery blood circulating through 
the body does not give it the proper nourishment, 
therefore the bird's weakness. 

Symptoms: Extreme weakness, the bird being 
scarcely able to get around. It may have diarrhoea 
and sometimes constipation, or the grains eaten may 
pass through the bowels undigested. The tongue and 
membranes of the mouth will have an extremely pale 
appearance, and the eye will be somewhat sunken 
and glassy. When flying, the bird will be found to 
breathe very hurriedly and upon the slightest exer- 
tion the bird's heart will be greatly quickened. 

Treatment: Iron in some form must be given 
the bird to increase the number of red corpuscles, 
and besides good nutritious and easily digested foods 
such as soaked bread, good w T heat, hemp seed, and 
oat meal water 10 drink, nothing else need be done. 
The tonic contains all the Iron required and should 
be given in larger quantities than in most other 
diseases. 

34 



GASTRITIS, (Acute inflammation of Crop.) 

Cause: This disease is caused by the bird having 
eaten some powerful poison, drank irritating water, 
or eaten food containing poison. Another form of 
Gastritis is caused by the feeding of oats, the sharp 
points causing an irritation. 

Symptoms: The bird will have a very wild look, 
its wattle and tongue will be very red and inflamed. 
It will try to vomit, and when this is accomplished 
the vomited matter will be watery with some mu- 
cous. It will not care to eat, preferring drink. 

Treatment: Do not allow any food. Remove 
the irritation by giving gum arabic water several 
times a day with an occasional dose of Laudanum. 
Before giving any food after the irritation is removed 
give a few doses of Cod Liver Oil. The first article 
of diet should be soaked bred. Never use oats unless 
it is hulled, and be careful that the bird cannot 
drink any water of a poisonous nature. This ailment 
is frequently a cause of drinking water standing in 
old paint pots. 

CONGESTION OF LUNGS. 

A disease afflicting birds about the moulting 
period. It is caused by a chill, superinduced by 
taking cold suddenly or from too thick blood. The 
blood vessels in the lungs become distended and 
congestion follows, often the bird dying from asphj x- 
ia caused from the closing of the air cells. 

Symptoms: The breathing is very rapid and 
constricted, the bird having a very drowsy, lazy 
appearance, and at times not giving notice of its 
surroundings. The disease is almost always fat;J 
and somewhat resembles bronchitis, but is a more 

35 



serious disease. Mucous will flow from the mouth, 
and at times the mucous discharged will contain 
streaks of blood. 

Treatment: As this disease is quick with its 
deadly work, treatment will be of little advantage. 
Using the tonic in the drinking water, avoiding 
draughts in the lofts, and guarding against exposure 
are the best means of prevention. 

DISEASE OF THE CROP. 

The crop, as all know, is where the food eaten 
is first received. Here it becomes softened and mac- 
erated by the secretions of that order. It then 
passes into the second stomach, as it is called, and 
then on into the gizzard. By the use of poor qual- 
ity of food, etc., the crop is very often diseased. It 
is a very fine piece of mechanism and fanciers should 
all bear this in mind and give their birds nothing 
but the best food obtainable. An inflammation of 
the crop is often caused by the feeding of oats or 
any other sharp pointed articles of food. These 
points cause an irritation by their piercing, and often 
penetrate into one of the larger blood vessels caus- 
ing an inward hemorrhage and the death of the 
bird. 

Symptoms: The symptoms of diseases of the 
crop, such as crop bound, sour crop, etc., are dis- 
tention of the crop, caused by the accumulation of 
gases and decomposed foods. The bird appears to 
be all out of sorts, is lazy, and cares not for food 
or drink. This disease is usually caused by the birds 
having eaten too much by which the muscular part 
of the crop is weakened, causing an atony. The 
consequence is that the food instead of passing fur- 

36 



ther on, remains still and decomposing, throws off 
irritating gases, poisons, etc., into the blood of the 
bird. 

Treatment: The best treatment is to remove as 
much of the undigested food as possible, after which 
administer a dose of Castor Oil. This will carry the 
remainder of the poisonous food downward and heal 
the irritated mucous membrane as it goes. 
MOPING. 

Most pigeon lofts contain certain birds which 
never seem to have their full spirit, but are always 
moping about. This moping, as it is called, may be 
due to some of the diseases mentioned in this book, 
but if the excrement voided has its natural appear- 
ance and consistency, their is no fever or indication 
of disease. This moping can often be cured by pull- 
ing out the tail feathers. Take hold of the tail and 
with one sudden pull extract the whole tail. The 
bird will usually begin to improve immediately 
afterward. 

CANKER IN THROAT. 

Canker is a disease of very common occurrence, 
afflicting, as it were, all varieties of pigeons and is 
one of the most dreaded diseases all fanciers must 
contend with. It is an exceedingly contagious dis- 
ease and often when one loft is infected with it, 
others in the same neighborhood are likewise infect- 
ed. It usually appears in an epidemic form and 
many birds die each winter from this terrible disease. 
It greatly resembles Diphtheria, and some authors 
claim it is the same. 

Symptoms: When canker begins to form in the 
mouth, the mucous membranes soon begin to grow 

37 



paler each day, finally a substance resembling cheese 
begins to form on either side of the throat gradually 
growing in size until the bird can hardly breathe. 
About this time, this cheesy matter, if not removed, 
changes and minute ulcers form which, if allowed to 
run, destroy the membranes rapidly causing the 
bird's death. Tliese cankered spots or ulcers change 
as the disease advances from a yellow to a brownish 
color. Sometimes these ulcers form close to the 
entrance of the windpipe. The bird will always 
have a fever, the throat is swollen and the breath 
very offensive. 

Treatment: With a small pointed stick remove 
as much of the cheesy matter as possible without 
causing blood to escape, and wash out the mouth 
with a mild solution of salt water first; then take 
a small pinch (very small at that) of burnt alum 
and apply to the throat. This eats away all can- 
kered matter and encourages healing. Or the throat 
could be painted with a mild solution of Perman- 
ganate of Potassium, using eight or ten grains to the 
ounce of water. By the oxygen thrown out by this 
solution and from its powerful absorbing affects, very 
often the best of results can be obtained. The throat 
should always be moistened also with a little sweet 
oil or some mild healing oil at least once a day after 
the operation. 

CHOLERA. 

Cholera is a disease of a malarial nature affect- 
ing, as it were, birds which are kept in too small 
a loft, or from overcrowding the lofts, at the same 
time not keeping it in a proper sanitary condition. 
This disease seldom appears in a well managed loft. 

38 



Another cause is the negligence on the part of the 
owner in regard to the water given. Some give 
water in wooden tubs and never change it but once 
a day, i. e. every morning. If such receptacles are 
used for water, in the summer the bottom and sides 
will become thickly coated with a greenish slime, 
and if the w^ater is not changed often, say two or 
three times a day, in the hottest days of summer it 
too will become green and stagnant. This is, I be- 
lieve, the main cause of Cholera. 

Symptoms: Diarrhoea of a more or less severe 
type, excrement or discharges voided are greenish in 
color, and the discharges contain much mucous. The 
bird will be off its feed, gradually emaciate and 
finally die if the proper attention is not at once given 
it. 

Treatment: The best method is to prevent the 
disease, using good feed, no corn in summer or very 
little, if any, is used, keep the drinking vessels well 
scrubbed out doing so every morning, occasionally 
scalding them out, give fresh water soon, as the 
other given them has become somewhat warm and 
pay strict attention to the sanitary conditions of the 
loft and its surroundings. If the disease has once 
become established it will be best to remove the 
afflicted birds to separate compartments so as not to 
allow it to spread to the others. Discontinue any 
food having a tendency to scour, foods such as rye, 
etc. Give the tonic in the drinking water and also 
add a little Laudanum to allay the pain which usual- 
ly accompanies this disease. Feed good grain and 
that of an easily digested nature, such as canary, 
caraway, millet seeds, etc., a little soaked bread, and 
keep the bird as quiet as possible. 

39 



WORMS, (Intestinal.) 

There is a class of pigeons who, though they 
eat heartily, never seem to thrive but lay around 
lazily and have no ambition. If no other disease 
can be discovered that ails them, they undoubtedly 
have Worms. Only one variety afflicts pigeons and 
they are a parasite long and slender, averaging in 
size from an eighth of an inch to several inches in 
length. They infect the intestines only and seldom 
migrate into the large bowel unless carried there by 
the excrement, and will not remain there bat be 
expelled with the droppings. The presence of these 
parasites set up an inflammation of the intestines 
causing the worst form of Enteritis of a chronic 
nature. The bird eats heartily but still emaciates 
gradually, finally dying if assistance comes not. The 
diagnosis can never be fully made without examining 
the excrement, in fact it is the only means of mak- 
ing a true diagnosis. If these Worms are not 
discovered upon the first examination, look time and 
again for they are voided only occasionally, and not 
in very large numbers at one time often only one 
can be found. 

Treatment: Soon as these parasites have been 
discovered, feed the bird very lightly giving only a 
little light food such as soaked bread, and administer 
one-fourth to one-half grain of Santonin once or 
twice a day for several days. Then follow with a 
brisk cathartic such as Castor Oil. They will usually 
all be exterminated after the first treatment. I once 
held a post mortem examination on one of my birds 
immediately after death relieved it and was astonished 
when I cut into the intestines. There were worms 

40 



several inches long, by the hundreds, and were full 
of life, creeping around for some time upon the 
platter I use for holding post mortems. 

DIPHTHERIA. 

Diphtheria is quite frequently called Canker, 
and the latter is very often mistaken for the former, 
but there is no question but that there is some 
similarity as far as the symptoms are concerned. 
Canker is a fungus growth afflicting, as it were, the 
sides of the throat mostly, where in Diphtheria it 
i. e. the growth, is confined to the membrane farther 
down the throat and as the disease advances these 
growths become enlarged and project on the sides of 
the neck just below the entrance to the wind pipe. 
It is however, mostly confined to the young squabs 
at an age of two or three weeks and being the cause 
of the death of many during the winter months. Old 
birds may be subject to the disease as much as the 
young, but they being so much stronger can endure 
it a longer period of time, and it is probably trans- 
mitted by them to their squabs. The parents may 
be in apparent good health, there being no growth 
in the throat visible upon an examination, but farther 
down, the esophagus, contains the germ or bacillus 
of Diphtheria, and the peculiar way by which nature 
adopted the means of their feeding their young is 
one reason why it is so easily transmitted. It is, 
nevertheless, a very contagious disease, and the 
afflicted birds should always be removed far from 
the loft and placed in the "Hospital" by themselves. 

Symptoms: Fever, a hard, red lump will be 
seen projecting from the sides of the neck which 
will be very much inflamed and contain a great 

41 



amount of heat. The bird will not care to eat and 
incessantly gasps for breath. The breath will be 
rather offensive, and care must be taken for it is 
claimed it can be further transmitted to persons by 
simply inhaling the bird's breath. The disease some- 
times appears in a very epidemic form and large 
numbers die, it mostly occurring in the damp, cold 
winter months. If the disease is not checked, the 
bird finally dies of suffocation caused by the pressing 
of this lump upon the windpipe. 

Treatment: Remove as much of the cheesy 
looking matter as possible without injuring the mem- 
branes of the throat, and use as a lotion a solution 
of Permanganate of Potassium (eight grains to the 
ounce) to the throat. To paint the throat with 
tincture Chloride Iron is also good. Feed only very 
soft food while treating and add a small quantity of 
powdered alum to the drinking water. When squabs 
are afflicted with Diphtheria little can be done ex- 
cept to prevent its spreading. It will be of little 
use to commence operative treatment on so young 
a bird, for the surgical operation of cutting out the 
lump often causes the squab's death owing to its 
delicate constitution. However, if it is a valuable 
bird it may be tried for the bird will undoubtedly 
die anyhow, even if not operated upon. Make an 
incision into the side of the neck taking care not to 
cut an artery, and remove the lump. Stitch up again 
with carbolized silk or fine catgut, and finally apply 
a healing ointment containing Iodoform or Aristol. 
This operation must be quickly done, and for an 
hour or two previous give the bird to be operated 
upon a dose of quinine, otherwise the operation 

42 



would cause its death. The best means of preventing 
this disease is to use a mild astringent in the drink- 
ing \vater several times each week. Alum I have 
found the best for this purpose, but it must be used 
very judiciously. 

WING PARALYSIS. 

Cause: No direct cause can be attributed to 
this disease, but it is often seen associated with dis- 
turbances of the Liver, especially that of congestion. 
It can also be caused by lead poisoning, the bird 
having drank water occasionally out of old paint 
cans or of water standing a long time in leaden 
vessels or pipes. Wing Paralysis or dropped wing 
will often be found in the debilitating diseases where 
there is extreme weakness. It may however, be 
caused also by an internal disease of one of the other 
vital organs, such as Congestion of the Lungs, etc., 
and is sometimes seen in birds suffering from severe 
atony of the crop. 

Symptoms: The wing or both wings appear 
powerless and drag upon the ground. There is gen- 
erally in true paralysis no swelling, stiffness, etc., 
but if anything, there will be a somewhat emaciated 
condition of the wing. 

Treatment: As Paralysis of the Wing is merely 
a symptom of some other disease, it is the main 
point to make a true diagnosis, and treat the cause 
rather than commence treatment upon the wing itself. 
If it be the cause of liver troubles as above men- 
tioned, then follow the treatment adopted for that 
complaint, if from weakness from a debilitating 
disease use a tonic, or if from crop disease use that 
treatment, but to make a permanent cure the cause 

43 



of the weakness of the wing must first be discovered 
or all the trouble at treating will be of no avail 
whatever. 

GOING LIGHT. 

Probably there is not a fancier or pigeon owner 
but will with me agree that this disease is one of 
the most common and the most dangerous that he 
has to contend with in his pigeon loft. All birds 
fare alike, it afflicting the fancy and the common 
varieties in this respect the same. It is an exceed- 
ingly contagious disease and often when it once ap- 
pears whole lofts are completely wiped out in a 
very short time. It is contracted to healthy birds 
through the excrement, the bird having eaten fool 
containing the germs, or drinking water into which 
some of the droppings of the sick bird had fallen. 
It must always be considered a fatal disease in all 
cases, but it can often be checked and cured if the 
proper attention and treatment is given in time be- 
fore the disease has advanced too far. It is said that 
birds if they once recover from this disease will 
never again contract it. This is however very doubt- 
ful. It was heretofore understood that this disease 
was confined to highly bred birds and ones kept in 
confinement, but I have quite frequently observed 
birds having their freedom to become ill and die off 
rapidly with this disease. Going Light is a name 
applied to that disease of wasting away in which 
diarrhoea is the prominent symptom, and it should 
not be confounded with the wasting of lead poisoning 
for in that there is obstinate constipation. Old birds 
live quite a length of time sometimes when afflicted, 
but when it attacks their young they seldom live 

44 



long enough to waste away to mere skeletons as the 
old ones do. When it attacks the young, the lungs 
are generally affected first by an inflammation, and 
although a bird may be apparently in health to-day, 
it may be dead the next owing to this rapid inflam- 
mation. 

Symptoms: The disease usually starts with diar- 
rhoea caused by an inflammation of the lining mem- 
branes of the bowels. It will finally cause an 
inflammation of the lungs which gradually waste 
away as in Consumption. The afflicted bird lays 
around with ruffed feathers and has a miserable 
appearance in general. The discharges will be watery 
containing considerable slime or mucous. Diarrhoea 
is present throughout the whole course of the disease. 
They care not for food, just eating enough for mere 
existence and finally die, having wasted to a mere 
skeleton. 

Treatment: By far the best method to adopt is 
that of prevention. Keep the loft in a good sanitary 
condition, feed the best of food, (never rye) give 
fresh water, use the tonic and this disease will sel- 
dom appear. After a bird is once afflicted remove it 
at once and feed it plenty of hemp seed, and en- 
courage it to eat as much as possible. Cod Liver 
Oil is about the best medicine or nourishment that 
can be adopted for this disease. It keeps up the 
strength and helps to supply nourishment to the 
tissues which are rapidly being consumed. It should 
be given in capsules containing from three to five 
drops, three or four times each day, and at the same 
time administer a dose of Hypophosphites of Lime 
and Soda, one-fourth grain at each dose. If the 

4:. 



diarrhoea persists in a severe form Opium in some 
form must be given, Laudanum in the right propor- 
tions can be put in the drinking water. After the 
bird is convalescing, the tonic should be given in 
the water for some time to prevent the symptoms 
from recurring. 

CANKER IN EAR. 

Another form of Canker affecting, as it were, 
the ear instead of the throat. The cankered matter 
will be about the same in appearance as that of the 
throat. This is not considered a fatal disease but 
will, if let advance, be very detrimental to the bird's 
hearing. 

Treatment: Remove as much cheesy matter as 
possible without injuring the surrounding flesh, and 
use as a wash a mild solution of Bichloride of Mer- 
cury, or that of Peroxide of Hydrogen. 

SOUR CROP. 

A form of indigestion often produced by the 
use of too much corn in connection with wheat. If 
grains of the same nature such as wheat, buckwheat, 
millet, canary, etc., are fed at one meal, this condi- 
tion will seldom if ever arise. Most cases originate 
in the injudicious use of corn, probably on account 
of its cheapness. 

Symptoms: The bird will have a rather lazy 
look, and appear rather uncomfortable. The breath 
will be rather offensive and have a sour smell. When 
felt, the crop will be mushy and is somewhat dis- 
tended. When the bird has eaten very heartily the 
crop may be greatly distended from the accumulation 
of gases produced by the decomposition of the food. 

46 



This is frequently followed with a violent diarrhoea. 

Treatment: If possible remove some of the con- 
tents of the crop, but it is not of so much importance 
in this condition as in Crop Bound to remove the 
contents. Remove the bird so it cannot get anything 
more to eat and administer a capsule containing five 
drops of Castor Oil, enough to purge and carry away 
all undigested food. After a good discharge of the 
bowels has been effected, soaked bread can then be 
given. Next day the usual feed can be allowed. 
CROP BOUND. 

Crop Bound is a condition whereby the crop 
has been overloaded with food and water, and that 
organ losing its power of contraction or in other 
words termed Atony of the Crop. The muscular 
coating is partially paralyzed and in consequence the 
crop remains in a dormant state not allowing the 
food to pass further down into the second stomach. 
This condition is something similar to Sour Crop, 
but it is of a much more serious nature. The crop 
is greatly weakened in this condition, where in the 
former it is merely a fault of the food. The crop in 
these cases will be much harder than that of Sour 
Crop. 

Treatment: The first thing to be done is to re- 
move as much of the contents of the crop as can be 
done without injuring the bird. After this has been 
done remove the bird to quarters by itself and 
administer a good sized dose of Castor Oil (5 drops) 
and leave the bird quiet until the oil operates, after 
which give about thirty pills of food, made by mix- 
ing a medium hard boiled egg with cracker dust or 
bread crumbs. As the crop in these cases is weak- 



ened, that organ must be properly toned up before 
the bird will be able to digest the harder grains. To 
strengthen the crop and improve the appetite nothing 
will be found better than to use Gentian Root in 
the drinking water. After the bird ha» fully re- 
covered strength it can then be placed in the loft 
again. 

LEG WEAKNESS. 

This is an ailment often afflicting squabs after 
leaving the nests. It is probably due to their rapid 
growth and being cramped up in the nests or nest 
pans. I have never seen a case of leg weakness 
where nests were used without the pans, whether 
this is the cause of the weakness I would not like 
to say, but I do not fancy these pans myself and 
never use them. I use boxes a foot square for nests 
and never have birds suffering from this weakness. 
It is frequently the symptom of some other constitu- 
tional disease when found in old birds, and those 
diseases of a debilitating nature. 

Treatment: Remove the cause if it can be 
ascertained. Remove the bird and place it in a box 
with the bottom covered an inch or two with hay. 
Rub the legs morning and night well with a mixture 
of turpentine, vinegar and white of an egg. Add 
the tonic to the drinking water. 

PROLAPSUS ANAL, (Disease of Vent.) 

A disease afflicting the hen bird. It is usually 
the cause of great weakness and generally is confined 
to young hens, free breeders. An inflammation, 
displacement, of some of the inward organs, or the 
presence of a tumour may be another cause of Pro- 
lapsus. 

48 



Symptoms: The vent will have the appearance 
of being enlarged or too much opened, through 
which protrudes the mucous membrane of the cloaca. 
The part of the protrusion exposed to view soon 
becomes inflamed from the action of the atmosphere 
and becomes swollen. In bad cases the bowels are 
exposed to view by this enlargement. 

Treatment: Removing the inflammation is the 
main object. Wash off the vent with a solution of 
alum several times a day, keeping the bird very 
quiet all the while treatment is being made. In two 
days' time discontinue the alum, when the inflam- 
mation will usually have subsided somewhat, and use 
a lotion of Peroxide of Hydrogen three times daily, 
for a week or more. The final treatment should be 
a mild healing oil such as Sweet Oil or an ointment 
of Iodoform. Use the tonic in the drinking water 
for several months, and do not allow the hen afflict- 
ed to breed for some time, but give her a good rest, 
TUMOURS. 

These are small growths or swellings probably 
due to some impurity of the blood or system, or the 
result of an injury. They may appear on any part 
of the body. It is sometimes seen under the eye, 
and frequently near the vent. If these tumours are 
treated daily with Tincture of Iodine until the skin 
appears inflamed, then discontinue, they will usually 
disappear, but when they are located at any tender 
spot, for instance the eye, this tincture should not 
be used for it may be the means of fatally injuring 
the sight if any should get into that organ's ducts. 
When the tumour is on or near the eye I would 
advise the use of a mild solution of sugar lead. Oc- 

49 



casionally tne above methods of treatment will be of 
no avail, and when such is the case, surgical opera- 
tions must be resorted to, to effect a cure. Use a 
sharp knife, make an incision, care being taken not 
to allow a flow of blood, and remove as much of 
the tumours contents as possible. The wound should 
then be stitched up, and an ointment of Iodoform 
applied several times daily for a week until properly 
healed up. 

BROKEN BONES. 

Fortunately the fancier seldom has a case of 
broken bones, but sometimes they do occur, so a few 
remarks here will be of some benefit in case of an 
emergency. When a bone is broken, remove the 
bird to another place and make a thorough examina- 
tion, noticing if the fracture is in more than one 
place or not, frequently the bone will be fractured 
in several places. Procure small, narrow bandages 
and dust them well with Plaster Paris, laying the 
bandage open and dusting the plaster over it. Roll 
these up and then soak in warm, salt water for five 
or ten minutes. While these are soaking place the 
broken parts of bone together, remembering that the 
setting of the break is the main point of considera- 
tion. Do not remove any of the feathors; these may 
aid in supporting the limb and keeping it in the 
right position. Next take the bandages and carefully 
wind them around the break very tightly, making 
the Plaster Paris smooth upon the outside as it is 
cooling. 

This is the best method known, better than use 
of splints, the plaster becoming as hard as cement, 
especially when salt is added. Leave the Plaster 



Paris bandage on for at least four weeks, when it 
can be removed with careful cutting. Above all 
keep the bird quiet during the whole course, and 
after removing the bandages, keep in a small box 
(so as not to get too much exercise or be able to 
fly) for several weeks more, otherwise the bone 
might be easily broken over again, and the second 
break is not worth the treatment. 
WOUNDS. 

In case of a wound, gunshot wound for instance, 
it will be necessary to first locate the shot if pos- 
sible and extract it. This will encourage healing 
more rapidly. Cleanse the wound with a lotion of 
carbolic acid made by taking 300 parts of distilled 
water to one part carbolic acid. This acid must be 
the best refined and not the crude kind used for 
disinfecting. Take a small syringe and inject this 
lotion into the wound once a day for a few days, 
then stitch up and use the Iodoform Ointment men- 
tioned heretofore. In treating these wounds, or 
wounds of different nature, the greatest care must 
be taken to remove all dirt in the wound and that 
adhering to the edges, for often blood poisoning will 
be produced if any foreign substance is left in. 
MOULTING PERIOD. 

When birds are moulting they are more subject 
to disease than at any other period. Care should be 
taken of the birds more at this time than any other. 
Do not allow a draught to go through the loft. Feed 
them hemp seed occasionally, and peas, beans and 
the other foods rich in nitrogen. If salad can be 
had it may be given them, and they will eat heartily 
of it; likewise chickweed. 

51 



BARRENNESS. 

Quite frequently a fancier will find a hen is 
barren, or at least he thinks so. It is a very un- 
common occurrence and when a hen does appear so, 
nine out of ten times a rest of a few months will 
fully restore her system to its proper healthy con- 
dition. Again a hen is often condemned because of 
laying, infertile eggs. Sometimes it is the fault of 
the hen, she being weak, run down or the like, but 
in the majority of cases the fault lies with the cock. 
Try the plan of giving the hen a new mate; this 
often tells the tale. 

COLDS. 

When a bird takes a cold the symptoms will be 
sneezing, slight discharge from nostrils, etc. A little 
alum in the drinking water is sufficient treatment. 
SOFT SHELLED EGQS. 

Occasionally a hen will lay a soft shelled egg y 
which is frequently due to an insufficiency of lime 
material in the loft. ■ Birds must have lime in some 
form, either oyster shells, lime grit, plaster, etc. This 
is not a disease, but it can also be the cause of 
giving the bird overstimulating and fat forming foods 
clogging the internal organs with fat and producing 
weakness of the muscles. 

Treatment: Feed plain food, not much if any 
hemp, give plenty of oyster shells (ground) and the 
other materials containing lime, with lime water for 
drink. 

A FEW POINTERS. 

Learn how to quickly recognize a disease and to 
try and check its course if possible. Arrest the 

52 



disease at an early period and one half the trouble 
is over. In using the tonic described in different 
places in this book, always use wooden vessels, metal 
vessels may cause a chemical change and be injuri- 
ous to the bird. 

Remove all birds afflicted with contagious dis- 
eases, having a separate pen or box as a "Hospital" 
always ready. Always bury the bodies of dead birds, 
for often diseases can be contracted from them even 
after death, or burn them and avoid contagion. 
Above all bear in mind that an ounce of Prevention 
is worth a pound of Cure applies to our pets (the 
pigeon) as well as to* ourselves. 

Keep the loft in a healthy condition, at all times 
avoiding draughts and dampness. Have plenty of 
windows in the lofts, for sunlight is nature's disin- 
fectant. Dark lofts and disease are companions. 
Prevent lice from forming by whitewashing nests 
and all the interior of the building, and use tobacco 
stems for their material to nest with. A handful of 
slacked lime in a nest before it is occupied is a good 
plan to further prevent the formation of lice. Allow 
the birds a bath vvhen they feel so inclined at least 
■twice each week. Remove the droppings once each 
week. 

THE TONIC. 

The Tonic mentioned in this book in several 
places is the best I have found for the pigeon, for 
general purposes. It is composed of only the best 
medicines, not an injurious combination, but will be 
found very beneficial in Preventing and Treating 
many of the Diseases of Pigeons. It is an excellent 
antiseptic, laxative, and at the same time a good 
Saline Tonic. 

53 



It is made by taking Copperas one-half ounce, 
Sulphate of Soda four ounces, Gentian Root (pow'd) 
one-half ounce, Phosphate of Soda two ounces, and 
pure Creosote (Beechwood) one dram. The Creosote 
must first be rubbed well (in a mortar) with about 
forty grains of Calcined Magnesia, (otherwise it 
would not mix with water.) Add two quarts of 
warm water and follow with the other ingredients. 
Set away in a cool place, and use a tablespoon ful to 
a gallon of the bird or birds' drinking water. 




54 



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